Pinoys in UAE rely on PHL media in choosing whom to vote for

Al Ain, United Arab Emirates—Overseas Filipino workers here depend on Philippine media in eyeing politicians they would like to support in the 2013 midterm elections.  

Bong Valencia, 45, senior planning engineer at the Folcra Beach Ind. Co. WLL, told GMA News Online that he makes it a point to read or watch “lahat ng resources, media, articles, news sa internet and TV.’  

He recently had a chance to see an interview of a mayoral candidate in Manila. “I can say how pure his intentions are in helping the people,” he shared in an email.  

“In choosing our leaders, we have to really know their abilities, background, history in politics, and most of all, their pure intention in running for the post. We must not focus on their achievements but on their love for the Philippines and for the Filipino people.”  

“With the present administration, as an OFW, I can now see a brighter future not only for us but for our children. This will not be a reality unless we exercise our freedom to vote.”  

Tonette Cada, 42, medical secretary at the United Arab Emirates University, agrees, saying, "kasi we need to be heard din naman kahit papano."

 

Cada who had started working overseas at the King Abdulaziz Medical City in Saudi in 2003 until 2007 voted during the 2004 presidential elections.

 

“Pag may masamang balita tungkol sa binoto ko, nakakalungkot. But then, whoever sits eh, tiyak naman na mangungurakot. Ang consolations mo lang eh, sana naman kahit na nangurakot eh may nagawa din naman na mabuti for the country,” she shared in an email.

 

Overseas absentee voting

 

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved 205,321 applications on overseas absentee voting (OAV) as of August 2.

 

The Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jose Brillantes is the chairman of the Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat.

 

The deadline for registration is on October 31, 2012.

 

There are 795,151 OFWs eligible to cast ballots in the 2013 national and local elections, according to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

 

They are among the 8.41 percent of the 9.45 million Filipinos based abroad as either permanent residents, temporary residents, or residents of irregular status. - VVP, GMA News